Coronavirus Update - #2
Activity
What a difference even a few days makes!
With the country now 'locked-down' for the last week, we think it a good time to share some information on what we have seen happening over the last couple of weeks
The most notable thing is there is still a surprising amount of activity in the market. We had expected search volumes and traffic to almost completely collapse over the last two weeks, but that hasn't been entirely the case.
Over the last two weeks the search volumes for survey related terms has dropped by around 55%, a far smaller drop-off than might be expected given the latest stay at home advice.
Latest Government Guidance
However it's difficult to see this level of activity continuing with the further guidance issued by the government yesterday in relation to Moving Home. You can view the latest guidance here.
Most of the press were this morning reporting this as the the government 'shutting down the property market', but the situation is a little more confused than that.
The latest advice appears to have been prompted by mortgage lenders pressuring the government to act, probably motivated more by seeking to limit their exposure in the event of a possible collapse in property values as result of the economic fallout of the coronavirus, than purely health grounds, as the government has previously, and continues to says that "work carried out in people’s homes can continue, provided the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms of coronavirus".
The most relevant part of this latest advice directly relates to surveyors:
"Surveyors
Surveyors should not expect to carry out non-urgent surveys in homes where people are in residence, and no inspections should take place if any person in the property is showing symptoms, self-isolating or being shielded. It may be possible to carry out some of your work online and also carry out urgent surveys on empty properties, or those where the occupants are out of the property or following guidance to stay at home and away from others.
Surveyors should follow the latest Government guidance which currently (26 March 2020) states that work carried out in people’s homes can continue, provided the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).
It is important to ensure Government guidelines are followed, including maintaining a 2 metre distance from others, and washing their hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds (or using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water is not available).
No work should be carried out by a person who has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, however mild."
This still seems to be a bit ambiguous about the circumstances under which surveyors may conduct surveys, and somewhat contrary to other advice about not allowing external people into your home, and a long way short of a clear 'you can' or 'you can't' conduct surveys.
Continuing to deliver leads
As there does still seem to be some demand, and in the absence of a clear directive in either direction, it remains our policy to continue to send leads to those surveyors that want them and are still prepared to carry out surveys.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO CONDUCT SURVEYS OR RECEIVE LEADS please do suspend your services or set up a holiday pause. We do not want to be sending, and charging for, unwanted leads!
You can access your control panel here: https://www.localbuildingsurveyor.co.uk/admin_login.php
If you need any help with managing your account, Andrea will be delighted to help you, and you can call her on our usual number 02380 007100 or email her by replying to this email, or at
Future trend?
Without a reliable crystal ball it's difficult to predict what is likely to happen next. This latest advice will no doubt severely limit new property sales, and once any current property transactions complete we expect to see volumes to reduce further.
But please be assured we will be working hard to continue from our end to help you with fresh leads, provided the government's guidelines don't tighten further.
We will let you have further updates as the situation continues to develop.
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